On May 18th, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to NOT hear a case challenging the state’s face-to-face purchase requirement for alcohol. The face-to-face law gives the right to those selling alcohol to require identification in order to ensure those purchasing alcohol are at least 21 years old. National Beer Wholesalers Association President, Craig Purser, stated this decision was a “victory for state-based alcohol regulation.”

Drunkenness at the Indy 500? Expected. But you'll be surprised at the numbers. Nuvo says of the 350,000 attendees there were only 72 arrests. 36 for public intoxication. (28 for having weed). You gotta guess more than 1/100th of 1% were actually over .08 but the track police know how not to ruin a party. Huzzah.

Illinois legislative leaders are considering increasing the tax on beer by 2.6 cents per six-pack to raise $1 billion for a proposed multibillion-dollar statewide construction program. This will be the first increase in ten years. Also, under consideration will be increased taxes on liquor and wine, 80 cents and 13 cents per bottle respectively.

Broad Ripple Brewpub - Dual Citizenship Ale - On the handpull. I'd guess Fuggles, Cascades, and probably more. Both the earthiness and floral aspects of the hops come through very strong. A 50 IBU IPA. Going to sell out fast.

Growler refills at Rock Bottom 86th St, Indy are now only $5 on Mondays.

Stone 13th Anniversary should be in stores today June 29th. A Double Red. Here's the specs.

From George Saxon of Phoenix Imports, the "A rumor about Thomas Hardy's Ale being discontinued is beginning to spread so we want to set the record straight. O'Hanlon's Brewing Co. Ltd. has informed us that they will no longer brew Hardy's effective immediately, even though we had an order pending with them. This is a breach of our license agreement with them, and consequently we areterminating that agreement.

We are in the process of interviewing other brewers to brew Hardy's and Royal Oak Pale Ale but, given the time involved in that process and in brewing Hardy's, it's quite likely that there will not be a 2009 vintage. And, obviously, no more 2008."Cavalier Distributing reports stocks of Thomas Hardy's in Indiana are plentiful. Indiana won't be so lucky with the excellent Royal Oak as it has a much shorter shelf life.

Coming to Indiana: Meantime London Stout. B+ at BeerAdvocate. And it's going to be available in kegs as will their IPA (finally).

Hallertau was hit by a huge hail storm on May 26th. scary slide show of hail, but not of vines - (picture below from German Hop Growers Assn. is post-storm). Here's the preliminary damage from the Bavarian Brewers Federation:

Summary:* The Hallertau as a whole usually produces about one-third of all the world's hops.* The affected areas represent about 25% of the Hallertau's hop-growing acreage..* The affected areas represent about 6% to 7% of the world's hop-growing acreage.* The projected losses of 5,000 mt represent about 15% of the German hop harvest.* The projected losses represent about 4.5% of the global hop harvest

Market Outlook:"It is obviously far too early to make any projections about the final crop outcome. Nevertheless it is safe to say that we are unlikely to reach long-term averages for the Hallertau and Tettnang after the devastating storm ... [However] ... we certainly do not predict another hop shortage for crop 2009 at this point ..."

New Albanian's Bank Street location has already turned into a good local hangout for mature adults. Anytime you see someone at the end of the bar reading a book, working a crossword, or better yet doing homework you know you're in the right place.

Food specialty is Mussels ($10). Milk and onion sauce (only one offered) that was fairly bland. The Frites ($5) are well made with about 6 sauces offered - none of which were spicy or peppery.

"We are pleased to announce that Barley Island Brewing Company has 4 brands now available in Chicago and the surrounding counties. Louis Glunz Beer, Inc has 121 years of experience as a family-owned and operated beer distributor in Chicagoland. Initial bottled brands for the Chicago market are Dirty Helen Brown, BarFly IPA, Sheet Metal Blonde and Beastie Barrel Porter." - Jeff Eaton

Kudos are extended to Tom Wallbank who took 1st place at the 2nd annual UpCup Competition in Bloomington. Tom’s Classic Rauchbier took top honors in a field of sixty beers. This is Tom’s first Best of Show. Tom’s entry was not entirely normal in that 95% of the grist was home-smoked with American Beech from southwest Indiana. Tom now has the pleasure of brewing his Rauchbier with Upland Brewing Company, and it will be entered in the Pro-Am GABF competition this fall. Shortly after recording his victory, Tom and Caleb Staton, Upland’s head brewer, were trying to figure out how to smoke 1000 pounds of grain.

Other FBI members also did well in the competition. Brian Steuerwald took 2nd place with his Russian Imperial Stout and Andrew Korty took 3rd place with his Belgian Blonde, making it an FBI sweep.

I recently had the distinct opportunity of drinking the Brooklyn Local 2 from Brooklyn Brewery of Brooklyn, NY at J.K. O’Donnell’s Irish Ale House (Fort Wayne) and here are my notes about this wonderful beer - Corked and caged bottle. Small tan head with excellent retention, one ring of lacing, opaque, no visible carbonation, and a dark brown hue. The aroma came together very nicely-malt, caramel, dark fruits, spicy, and some notes of honey. The flavor was not to be outdone-malty, caramel, some notes of honey, dark fruits, spicy, and the ABV was present but not overly so at 9%. Tingly mouth feel and medium bodied. A very, very nice beer indeed! Nicely balanced and a sipping beer for sure. More than worthy of a try, would drink this again if it comes my way, and this is not a beer to be taken lightly.

“Mug Club members! Join us Wednesday June 3rd for the tapping of our summer seasonal, "Summer Daze Wheat." This beer is brewed with a hypnotic blend of wheat, honey, caramel malt, and various natural aromatics. This annual ale is substantial in character yet remains light, crisp, and refreshing. All mug club members are invited to join us from 5-7pm as we tap the first keg of the season and as usual there will be complimentary food.”

“Stop by the newest Mad Anthony location in Elkhart IN and check out their newly opened Beer Garden. This is a great spot to enjoy a hand crafted beer while enjoying great atmosphere, sunshine, and great food. The Elkhart location is also accepting reservations for their banquet room. Able to accommodate parties up to 60 people, we can provide a customized menu, large screen tv, AV equipment, which makes this the perfect location for a large party or that perfect place to host your business meetings.”

“This years Mad Anthony Golf Outing and Octobeerfest will be held on the weekend of Sept 18th & 19th. This years golf outing will be held on Friday at Bridgewater East Golf Club and The Octobeerfest Celebration will be held on Saturday the 19th from 2 - 6PM. Watch for more details as they become available.”

“Each brew we do in our production brewery yields 32 kegs or 496 gallons of Hand - Crafted Ales. The production brewery is averaging 2 brews per week.”

Crown Brewing (Crown Point, IN) currently has on tap:Special Force Ale which is an American Style IPA, Smokestack Amber Ale which is an American Amber Style Ale, Celtic Pride Irish Stout, and Crown Town Brown Ale.

Ram Dry Hopped IPA - Served from a firkin at their open house. Sarachi hops give plenty of IPA bitterness that comes in late.

Rock Bottom, Downtown Indy Goat Toppler Maibock - Rich gold color. Good malt aroma. Pleasant sharpness leads to quite a bit of bitter that is joined by some spiciness at the end. Jerry has used a livin-on-the-edge amount of hops.

RB Downtown Naughty Pappy - This batch of the Naughty Scot 90 Shilling has been aged one full year in a Pappy Van Winkle barrel. Like the Naughty Woody the whiskey is the focal point. Aroma of fruity vanilla. Whiskey hits the tongue first. Finish is sweet.

This year's King of the Maibocks may very well belong to Upland, Ram, or Broad Ripple. They're all smooth, married, and quaffable. We'll have to set up a direct comparison tasting.

Dixie Brewing is sending 1,000 cases to Fargo, ND to fulfil mayor Dennis Walaker's promise to buy everyone a beer who helped with their recent flood. Dixie is still being brewed in Wisconsin due to Katrina.

AB/InBev is selling the last of their stake in Tsingtao to a Chinese investor. That should bring about $235M to toward paying off the AB purchase.

Oaken Barrel - World of Wheats series - Dunkelweizen, American Wheat, Kristalweizen, Weizenbock. To be released one per month June through Sept.

Dixie Brewing is sending 1,000 cases to Fargo, ND to fulfil mayor Dennis Walaker's promise to buy everyone a beer who helped with their recent flood. Dixie is still being brewed in Wisconsin due to Katrina.

AB/InBev is selling the last of their stake in Tsingtao to a Chinese investor. That should bring about $235M to toward paying off the AB purchase.

J K O'Donnells Irish Ale House (Fort Wayne) - Now has Ommegang Rare Vos on tap and this Friday they will have a case of Brooklyn Local 2 for consumption. According to their Bar Manager, Fritz Hoffman, they will have the only case of this beer in Northeast Indiana. This reporter will definitely be making a visit to J.K.’s for both of these beers on Friday!

The Trion Tavern (New Haven) - The next twenty (20) taps were installed this week and beginning June 1st the tap list will include the following beers per Greg the owner:

Dixie Brewing is sending 1,000 cases to Fargo, ND to fulfil mayor Dennis Walaker's promise to buy everyone a beer who helped with their recent flood. Dixie is still being brewed in Wisconsin due to Katrina.

AB/InBev is selling the last of their stake in Tsingtao to a Chinese investor. That should bring about $235M to toward paying off the AB purchase.

"The Shoreline Brewery is proud to announce the release of its first barrel aged series. These beers were aged in bourbon and rye barrels for one year and have been aged further in our beer cellar since. The bourbon aged brews are: Lost Sailor (Imperial Stout), Big Bella (Heavy Scotch Ale), Discombobulation Celebration Ale (Barley Wine), Curse the Goat (Dopple Bock), Sum Nug (IPA), 3 Sum (Double IPA) and Smokestack (Porter). We also aged a quantity of Curse the Goat in a Rye barrel. Sales to the general public (first come, first served) will begin at 9 am Saturday, May 30th. The cost per 750 ml bottle is $20. Cash only please. Free Shoreline “Barrel Aged Series” T-shirt with purchase of a full case.Hope to see you here!" - Sam and Dave

Great Crescent Brewery will hold an ACBW Open House noon-8pm, on Sat, May 16. They'll also be open on all week Noon-9pm. Normally the counter is open 6-9 on Thurs, and Noon-9 on Fri and Sat.

Barley Island's activities during American Craft Beer Week include $2.50 pints on Mon, May 11 and Tues, May 12. $3 pints of Flat Top Wheat on Wed, Dirty Helen Brown on Thurs,, BarFly on Fri, Blind Tiger Pale on Sat, and Sheet Metal Blonde on Sun. Growler refills all week are $6.50 ($3.50 for the glass).

"Last month an English Brown was brewed and is now on the beer engine. Most of the brew went into the oak bourbon barrels for aging.

The Beastie Barrel Porter has been a big hit. Be sure and come in for a taste before it's all gone. Other specialty beers on tap this month are the Franken Stout, 60 Shilling Scotch, and Sheet Metal Blonde.

Our next new beer is going to be a Belgian Pale Ale or sometimes called an Amber Ale. We have pilot batches being conducted this week with a potential brew date later this month.

We have stepped our brewing schedule this month in preparation for sending pallets of beer to our new Chicago distributor. Yes, you will be able to purchase Barley Island beer in Chicagoland by June 2009!"

The Indiana Microbrewers Festival is July 18th. Same place, same time, same cost. Some more space in the field lets the B.I.G. set a limit of 4200 tickets this year and it may sell out beforehand. Tickets will (hopefully) be on sale online and in pubs on May 18th.

From last June's Ale Street News: "The absolutely best way to attend a beer festival is to work as a volunteer. Just contact the organizers, they always welcome reliable workers. You may be assigned ice or rinse-water delivery at first or cleanup or even maybe the dreaded spit-bucket duty. At the very least you’ll be able to wander the festival for a while and you may even get a break on waiting in lines. And very best, it’s free.

Usually workers get a T-shirt for their trouble (special Event Staff this year) and, at a typical 4-hour festival may only be needed for one 2-hour shift. Cleanup is actually a good gig because it all happens after closing and, if efficient, can take only one hour. Oh, and did we mention the free beer?

If you’re lucky and, most importantly, have, a bartender’s license you might get posted to the job of pouring beer for patrons. This is the best of all worlds as you can educate lots of people about beer and have some samples yourself. (Indiana) requires a server’s license (Application form) and if you can legally pour beer you have a leg up on the other volunteers.

Bourbon barrel aged series - Starting with a English Barleywine aged in a Woodford Reserve barrel, transitioning to Naughty Pappy- a Strong Scotch Ale aged in a 20 year old Buffalo Trace barrel, then on to Naughty Woody- the same Scotch Ale aged in a Woodford Reserve barrel

Jerry will be making a kick-off toast on Mon, May 11th, 6pm. All three downtown brewpubs will host open houses on Wed, May 13 from 6-9pm. That includes Alcatraz, and Ram also.